The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-11-16

esty run low, for l now felt convinced
that the old man was the thief. His
weak brain had reasoned that by taking
this cross and selling it in the great
he would insure his beloved
grandchild's happiness-little guessing
the misery his act really cost her. He
had hidden the jewel in his belt; whether
the belt was to be found, and, IL so, with
its contents unmolested, was now my
duty to ascertain. kept my own coun-
sci, arranging that pressing business
should call me back to Munich the next
day.
Arrived in town, went straight to the
Police Bureau to ask if trace could be
found of the old mans clothes, which
had been sold on the appointed day. A
red-haired young man, with stutter, to
whom, as compensation for his physical
defects, good memory had been granted,
arose, and with much difficulty informed
me that the unknown mans entire outfit
had been bought by an old clothes dealer
named Schmier, in the Thai Strasse.
| repaired there at once and found the
breeches and leather waistcoat still on
sale, but the blue coat and the precious
belt were gone. Did Herr Schmier pos
sibly remember who had bought these
articles2
Yes, Herr Schmier recollected per
fectly; two young artists had bought the
garments In question "at a contemplate
price, sir, that would wiring tears from
stone"
"Do you happen to know the address
of these gentlemenp / continued.
cone Of them, Herr Bossel, has a stu
dio in Rosen Strasse, 80; l don't know
the other. But you can't touch us in any
way, sir; I came honestly by the clothes,
and can prove it."
pray do not distress yourself, sir;
have not the remotest idea of calling
your integrity into question; and wish
you a very good morning."
went to Rosen Strasse 80, and blum
dering up five flights of dark dirty stairs
found Herr Bossel busy at work with Il
corkscrew, and not far enough advanced
in his labors to be in a good -humor.
Yes, he had bought that blue coat with
the shells on it, of an old-clo' man, and
he supposed he might buy as many coats
as he liked, without strange fellows in
truding upon him to ask impertinent
questions.
l pacifed the gentleman by telling
him as much of my story as | discreetly
could, emitting all allusions to the gold
cross
He believed Collins had bought an en-
broidered belt, but was not quite sure.
He might be in town still, and he might
be gone to the country. One never knew
what fellow would be up to this beast
ly hot weather.
l sought out Mr.. Collins, only to find
that he had sold the belt the previous
day to comrade who was to wear it al
costume dance at Garmisch.
Weary, but still undaunted, | betook
myself per train and diligence to Gar
misch, and by a Macchiavelian astute
ness got an invitation to the dance al
which Mr.. Collins's friend was to appear
At last my delighted eyes rested AGAR
upon the old peasants belt, round tn,
sturdy form of a jolly young Irish tourist
There was no mIstaking those bright
winged harpies in the embroidery anC
the curious old silver clasp. l coult
imagine / saw the outline of the st. An
drew's cross family silhouetting itsel
through the needlework; but this was
of course, only exaggerated fancy.
How to get the belt into my possession
would be, l feared, the most Difficult
part of my task; but this turned out t.
be very simple matter. Over a bottle
of Markgrafier, we began to talk of thu
belt, Collins's friend bewailing the fact
that he had been weak enough to spenC
money he couldn't spare, to have it fo
the ball. Collins had asked such bis
price, too. Now the dance was nearly
over, the tourist began to wish he haC
not been so particular about the details
of his costume. In an offhand indiffer
ent manner, l said | often found sucl
knickknacks handy in my studio a
home, and if he chose to part with tn,
belt, l didn't mind taking it for ,th
price he paid Collins.
The tourist seized upon my offer will
delight; and my feelings when, after tn
ball. | retired to my room with the belt
my lawful property, can be more easil.
imagined than described.
How eagerly tore open the stitche
so neatly taken by the dutiful Erika
The belt was wadded and lined, till
with the embroidery, it was about hal
an lhCu ltll no ndIu SuDSldhC
inside, nor did anything fall out when
shook it. A horrible fear seized upol
me lest, after all, l was mistaken. Blu
no, | was quite right in my suspicious
Under the body of the fattest harpy, hel,
in place by bit of wax, and well GOV
cred by wadding, lay an antique gol,
cross with a superb diamond sunk dee
at the junction of the bars. The craft
old man had secured his booty well.
As had never in my life disobeyed
command of Dorothy's, it did not seer
to me in the least surprising that | wa
able to execute this last one of hers t
rescue Erika from prison. There wer
great reioicings at Lerchenfeld, the wed
ding of the fair prisoner with her believe
Basil among them. A purse had bee
made up for her. and the prudent Bas
might be we'll satisfied with his bride
suddenly acquired dowry.
My mission over, l returned TO tn
"Pension Maifeld, and in the autumn il
proprietress is going to marry me.
could see no way out of such an arrange
ment; and she is really a nice littl
woman, after all.-Frdak Leslie's.
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